New Statesman: Revenge of the Nation State

The death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi reveals that the international community has little control over rogue states that resist criticism by any means necessary. Khashoggi had criticized Saudi Arabia’s horrific and wasteful war in Yemen, and his murder “conforms to a general pattern of degeneration in 21st century international relations, in which respect for human rights is eroding, sovereignty is flouted and red lines are traversed on a whim,” explains historian John Bew in an essay for New Statesman. “The nation state is back with a vengeance, baring its claws and teeth, just as the soothing post-Cold War notion of an ‘international community’ fades further from view.” Meanwhile, China and Russia favor national sovereignty and overlook diplomatic or human rights violations. Other international leaders are distracted by other forms of nationalism – the United Kingdom with Brexit and the United States with protectionism. Challenges to a unified international community include cyber-crimes and fake news, manipulative populism and resistance to democracy, trade battles and competition over resources as well as worries since the 2008 financial crisis that the world’s best days are past as only a few prosper from globalization. Bew concludes that strategic thinking, cooperation and restoring public trust are required. – YaleGlobal